Bruins’ offense struggling to find timing, rhythm

The Bruins’ front line has been decimated. Left tackle Torian White’s season ended two weeks ago with a broken ankle. After moving from right to left to replace White, Simon Goines injured his left medial collateral ligament at Stanford on Saturday. A few plays later, backup Conor McDermott dislocated his shoudler.

The status of the latter two remain undetermined, but for the up-tempo offense the disruption in routine has been costly.

“If one part of the machine is not working, the whole thing can’t go,” receiver Jordan Payton said. “If we’re not all on time and moving in sync, it can’t really be effective.”

The Bruins, also hampered by seven penalties — including three false starts — caught no breaks in their 24-10 loss.

Of UCLA’s 13 drives at Stanford, just four entered Cardinal territory. Only one went more than 54 yards. Six times, the Bruins punted, gained zero yards twice and lost two yards on another try.

“We had a lot of opportunities, a lot of missed opportunities,” Payton said. “Maybe some guys are used to breaking it for 15, 20 yards. Now we’ve got to earn every four, five yards. ...

“Every down you’ve got to fight. That’s one of the things that I took from this game. You have to get ready to just earn every yard.”

At the start of the season, nearly everyone on the roster talked about how much better the offensive line looked. Hundley, sacked 52 times last season, said he felt much more comfortable in the pocket. The tailbacks, easily clearing 200 yards per game, mentioned how wide their running lanes looked.

Now the most oft-spoken line is how to make do with the next man, youth or not. Hundley hasn’t complained about his protection, but he’s gone from praising the offensive linemen to talking about how he can things easier for them.

“I’ll keep my eyes down the field no matter what’s happening, what’s going on back there,” he said. “I’ve just got to trust that they’re going to get the job done and do my part.”

Thomas to return

Oregon running back De’Anthony Thomas expects to play against UCLA on Saturday, his first bit of action since spraining his ankle a month ago.

Advertisement

He had 338 rushing yards and six touchdowns through the Ducks’ first three games. Thomas then injured his ankle on the opening kickoff against Cal on Sept. 28 and has been sidelined since.

“I’m ready,” he told the Oregonian. “I’m hungry and ready to get back on the field.”

He also told the newspaper he was close to playing in Oregon’s 62-38 win over Washington State last Saturday, but wanted to “be on the safe side.” With Thomas out, sophomore Byron Marshall rushed for 550 yards and seven scores in four games.